Big weekend for a pair of ex-Thunder coaches
Published on April 29, 2002 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- Although the Wichita Thunder season ended in March, a handful of former and current members of the Thunder have been enjoying the month of April.
Most notably, former Thunder head coach Doug Shedden notched his fourth league championship of his 10-year coaching career, guiding the Memphis RiverKings to the 2002 CHL Title. Michal Stastny's overtime goal last night in Memphis closed out the series, as the RiverKings finished off the Austin Ice Bats in five games, to take their first ever CHL Championship. Shedden guided the Thunder to the CHL Title in both 1994 and 1995.
Meanwhile, up north in Philadelphia, another former Thunder skipper had a big weekend. Don Jackson, who coached the Thunder during the 1995-96 season, helped the Ottawa Senators to a first round upset of the mighty Flyers. In his first season as Ottawa's assistant coach, Jackson helped mold a defensive system that held the high-scoring Flyers to an NHL-low two goals during the five-game series.
While he hasn't had as much fun or success as Shedden and Jackson, Thunder goaltender Stan "Smokey" Reddick also had a busy weekend, playing for the underdog Slovenian National Team in the 2002 World Hockey Championships in Sweden. Playing in Group C of the 16-team tournament, Reddick and the Slovenians have had a tough time, losing their first two games to Russia and Sweden, a pair of teams loaded with NHL players.
Reddick was still impressive in a losing effort on Sunday, making a whopping 57 saves in an 8-2 lose to Sweden, as Slovenia was outshot 65-16. Slovenia will play their final first round game on Tuesday versus the winless Austrian team.
Reddick's Thunder teammate Travis Clayton has been active as well, playing in several tournaments in his native Saskatchewan. Clayton's team has won all three tournaments in the month of April, with Clayton garnering tournament MVP honors each time.
Season ticket packages for 2002-03 are on sale now, starting at just $120. For more information, contact the Thunder office at 264-GOAL or visit our website at www.wichitathunder.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from April 29, 2002
- Doug Frank has heard it all - New Mexico Scorpions
- RiverKings Claim CHL's President's Cup - CHL
- Big weekend for a pair of ex-Thunder coaches - Wichita Thunder
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